there any record are noted that debates? i don't know. are you surprised to hear that there is no notes, as far as we can tell, of asking the prime minister to come back and take charge of the crisis? no, i'm not surprised. there were conversations. people sitting next to each other at work. asi as i say, i was sitting right next to martin and i didn't have to put it this was conversations we had around the office at that time. let's go live to our correspondent at the inquiry. we've heard a response to some of the evidence today representing bereaved families, talking about feeling like should be punished in the stomach after reading some of the evidence and hearing evidence of the inquiry today. has it been covering it this afternoon? i today. has it been covering it this afternoon?—

afternoon? i think you've got to think of the _ afternoon? i think you've got to think of the evidence _ afternoon? i think you've got to think of the evidence itself - afternoon? i think you've got to think of the evidence itself and | afternoon? i think you've got to i think of the evidence itself and the tone and the language issues and some of this evidence we've seen. the issue about older people, the moment that we heard a take from the chief scientific officer which he talked about conversations he had with boris johnson talked about conversations he had with borisjohnson which he was sure the borisjohnson with borisjohnson which he was sure the boris johnson felt that old people, we should allow old people to get a virus so other people, younger people could get on with their lives and not crash the economy. they should accept their obviously he lost somebody, particularly in the older person that's really not what you want to hear. aside from the fact it sounds quite flippant. big serious decisions to be made at that level in government. it's highly insensitive. you can probably see some protesters behind me who are standing outside now, waiting for the departure of dominic cummings whose finished giving his evidence. it gives you a sense of the strength of feeling of some of the things

that were said. dominic cummings himself, one of the other things we picked out we knew he was a square about quite the extent to unbelievable some of the language used when other ministers were criticised and their role within government. other civil servants, he talked about helen mcnamara who a senior civil servant, a very rude world which i will use on television, about her tonight his feelings toward her. —— i won't use the word. misogyny on downing street, the toxic atmosphere within downing street which was asked was he a part of that he said, no, he wasn't but he could see it was a toxic atmosphere. he wasn't but he could see it was a toxic atmosphere.— wasn't but he could see it was a toxic atmosphere. he was also asked about a meeting _ toxic atmosphere. he was also asked about a meeting on _ toxic atmosphere. he was also asked about a meeting on the _ toxic atmosphere. he was also asked about a meeting on the 19th - toxic atmosphere. he was also asked about a meeting on the 19th where l about a meeting on the 19th where somebody allege said were killing patient to tackle the humour, why we it destroying the economy for people who die soon anyway? difficult to

hear from who die soon anyway? difficult to hearfrom bereaved who die soon anyway? difficult to hear from bereaved families. who die soon anyway? difficult to hearfrom bereaved families. the inquiry asked dominic cummings and he said he thought it was that then prime minister borisjohnson. what apps happened around that exchange? that was a comment brought up yesterday and indeed barsjohnson, we've heard two people attribute that statement to boris johnson. i that statement to borisjohnson. i guess that statement to boris johnson. i guess working out what was said and what was said and exactly what decisions made around lockdown, a lot of today was spent discussing what, when lockdown should have been implemented. it was said we found out yesterday boris johnson didn't receive any briefing for ten days in february, the half term and went on holiday. the uk then went into lockdown by the end of march. five week space, dominic cummings today said that was insane. but he said it wasn't much point and try to bring borisjohnson back from his holiday because that point borisjohnson

like many people in number ten haven't essentially bought into the seriousness of covid and how to deal with it. basically bringing him back would be counterproductive, was his language. because he said in effect borisjohnson didn't accept how important the virus was by that point and quite the impact it would have on the country. i think that was one of the interesting things thatis was one of the interesting things that is come out of today. historically dominic cummings has been seen as very unpopular and faced of criticism. it was often seen that there was a brought port around at the time that he was a one suggesting that the strategy should be for herd immunity in the uk. he today very much said it was him who had was pushing early for stricter measures for lockdown and for the virus to be taken seriously. stat; virus to be taken seriously. stay with us for— virus to be taken seriously. stay with us for that _ virus to be taken seriously. stay with us for that were _ virus to be taken seriously. stay with us for that were going to take a quick listen on what dominic cummings said when asked about what boris johnson's thoughts cummings said when asked about what borisjohnson's thoughts were on

initially introducing lockdown. he was certainly open. like me and others _ was certainly open. like me and others he — was certainly open. like me and others he was somewhat dumbstruck that we're _ others he was somewhat dumbstruck that we're in the situation. of course — that we're in the situation. of course there was no plan for lockdown _ course there was no plan for lockdown so he was also saying, how the hell_ lockdown so he was also saying, how the hell do _ lockdown so he was also saying, how the hell do we lockdown when there isn't a _ the hell do we lockdown when there isn't a plan — the hell do we lockdown when there isn't a plan for lockdown? i've been told the _ isn't a plan for lockdown? i've been told the glassy weeks that a lockdown is impossible, lockdown is mad because it means our second wave and now— mad because it means our second wave and now suddenly you and others are saying _ and now suddenly you and others are saying were — and now suddenly you and others are saying were going to have to lockdown for the what the hell is going _ lockdown for the what the hell is going on? — lockdown for the what the hell is going on? 35st lockdown for the what the hell is auoin on? �* , lockdown for the what the hell is auoin on? . , ., , going on? at times it was quite ex - losive going on? at times it was quite exolosive in _ going on? at times it was quite explosive in the _ going on? at times it was quite explosive in the inquiry. - going on? at times it was quite explosive in the inquiry. what l going on? at times it was quite i explosive in the inquiry. what was the reaction within the public gallery to some of the evidence given by dominic cummings? to be honest, given by dominic cummings? to be honest. i'm — given by dominic cummings? to be honest. i'm in _ given by dominic cummings? to be honest. i'm in a _ given by dominic cummings? to be honest, i'm in a press _ given by dominic cummings? to be honest, i'm in a press room - given by dominic cummings? to be honest, i'm in a press room so - honest, i'm in a press room so separate so it's difficult to see how it's all going down, just getting a feed you can see the strength of feeling, people standing out here in the rain in central london trying to give their thoughts across to dominic cummings of

exactly how they feel. dominic cummings interestingly was asked about the famous trip to barnard castle in which he was testing his eyesight, to coin his friend is wally @ covid in the may of the lockdown. when the strictures of measures were in place here in the uk. it's very embarrassing, you'll remember he did a press conference a few days later which he tried to explain himself. he apologised what it done, the handling, never tends handling had been a disaster, he said. but he still insisted he broke no rules. i think you're getting a sense of this man who fails he hasn't made any mistakes from we last heard or talked about the issue. probably the key theme that we've heard from both dominic cummings and from lee kane, boris johnson's former director of communications was this picture of dysfunction in number ten. lee kane said in effect the prime minister

just didn't have the right skill set to be the man leading the country through the pandemic. and he was basically unfit to rule and something that was reflected by dominic cummings. you may say that's no surprise from dominic cummings, he left under a cloud when he resigned in november 2020 and boris johnson and dominic cummings despite his long history of working together through the brexit campaign and into the early part of his partnership fell out spectacular league, basically. but lee kane didn't follow, when he resigned boris johnson called him a close friend and close ally. if you listen to lee kane today his defence was sucked lightly more nuanced. he was very critical, —— sc slightly more critical. he wasn't unfit to be prime minister, just unfit to be prime minister, just unfit to be prime minister, just unfit to be prime minister at this particular moment. he also said working with

borisjohnson had been exhausting. anyone who works with borisjohnson would be exhausted by the fact that he was so indecisive, he would basically like that basic decision of the last conversation in the room. i think that's a key take—home message, building this picture of what downing street look like when borisjohnson was in charge. boris johnson hasn't commented on any of this but he will. he will have this moment in the inquiry. were expecting to hearfrom him in the early part of december along with rishi sunak. early part of december along with rishi sunak— early part of december along with rishi sunak. ., ,, , ., , . rishi sunak. thank you very much, allie. a comprehensive _ rishi sunak. thank you very much, allie. a comprehensive wrap - rishi sunak. thank you very much, allie. a comprehensive wrap up . rishi sunak. thank you very much, allie. a comprehensive wrap up at| allie. a comprehensive wrap up at today's events of the uk covid inquiry which will continue tomorrow. i'm sure you'll be covering every twist and turn. you've been watching the live stream of the inquiry, which is been hearing from two of borisjohnson's former top aides and very interesting evidence, as you've heard described there. we're now going to rejoin the main bbc news

channel. matthew is they are bringing you the latest on the conflict in the middle east. courtney, thank you very much for taking us through all of that. we will go straight to breaking news. it is significant because let me tell you, in the last few minutes the armed wing of hamas have told mediators it will release a number of foreign captives in the coming days. i will repeat that, as i say, it is important, significant breaking news because hamas is told mediators it were released a number of foreign captives in the coming days. no exact timescale but to the spokesman of the wings sitting in a video on its telegram account that crucial line. we know the total number of hostages is 239, that is severaljunctions been raised by the israeli authorities. that was the latest figure they use for the hamas saying they will release a number of

foreign captives in the coming days. no word in terms of the exact timescale and they make the point is a number of foreign captives so not necessarily all of them. it is significant, the video goes on to say they do not desire to keep foreign detainees in gaza. of course a hostage situation, a huge part of the equation. of course these images that we've seen in capitals all over the world, so much focus in israel and pressure on benjamin netanyahu to bring those hostages home. he of course met some of the families over the weekend. you are hearing that interview earlier who is saying those meetings with the hostage families, some of the most difficult meetings he has had his entire life. and said in repeated again that they

were attempting to bring those hostages home. a glimmer of good news. it's interesting becausejim bowen our international editor starting the day talking about his sources in qatar saying to him that they had actually been in the final stages of agreeing a release of a large group of hostages before the ground incursion started over the weekend. that seems to be a deal that might have been revisited. there were reports that despite the ground incursion those efforts were continuing behind the scenes. of course guitar playing a huge role in all of this. the thought was that perhaps those meetings were continued with the qatar is overseeing it. that is the first real indication that there is significant progress with hamas telling mediators it will release a number of foreign captives in the

coming days. that put onto telegram, they are spokesman of the armed wing. as i say, no exact number but that phrase being used, it will free foreign hostages in the next few days. we will keep an eye on that. that is in important line of breaking news. we will talk to a correspondent here. and of course those families who have been regularly been in contact with various political parties and players in israel, pressing the case this time yesterday we were watching a live news conference with three of those families, three who appeared in hamas video that was released about 2k hours ago. there was a call within that for benjamin netanyahu to do more release them. those were israelis, this particular line is talking about foreign nationals. we know that foreign nationals from several different countries,

american, european countries. we don't know, there is no word from that, one or two lines about any sort of number. a real sign of hope with that hamas statement saying they were release a number of foreign captives in the coming days. if there is any more on that, that is just if there is any more on that, that isjust happen, we if there is any more on that, that is just happen, we will obviously return to it. let's return to the other important development because a huge explosion has happened at the ja your refugee camp in northern gaza. it is caused many casualties was upset the eight hamas officials say many have been killed. they say the blast was caused by in israeli airstrike. israel so far has not commented on the incident. the area that israel had declared a evacuation zone. video from the scene shows people pulling bodies from the rubble and to vast craters. we're waiting for more details of that incident but here in the uk a little earlier in the day the labour

leader sir keir starmer was talking about the israeli— gaza conflict so that he's defended his decision not to call for a major cease—fire in gaza. in a speech here in london he said such a move would embolden hamas. he called for humanitarian pauses in the fighting instead. here's a little of what he was saying. it here's a little of what he was sa inc. , ., .,., ,, saying. it is for me to address collective _ saying. it is for me to address collective responsibility, - saying. it is for me to address collective responsibility, i - collective responsibility, i recognise it is my duty. it matters and i take that duty extremely seriously. but i do it in the context of understanding what is driving people in the call for a cease—fire. which is in myjudgment not the call that we should be making as things stand for the reasons i set out. irate making as things stand for the reasons i set out.— making as things stand for the reasons i set out. ~ ., ., reasons i set out. we will have more on that story — reasons i set out. we will have more on that story in _ reasons i set out. we will have more on that story in the _ reasons i set out. we will have more on that story in the next _ reasons i set out. we will have more on that story in the next hour. - reasons i set out. we will have more on that story in the next hour. you l on that story in the next hour. you can keep up to date with all the latest developments on the bbc live page. let's turn away from that and take a look at some of the other stories making the headlines through

the course of today. the king and queen are on a state visit to kenya. their first trip to a commonwealth country since charles became monarch. the east african nation is marking 60 years of independence — and the king is facing calls to apologise for abuses during british colonial rule. our royal correspondent nicholas witchell sent this report from nairobi. it is his first visit as king to a commonwealth country. not to one of the so—called realms — the nations of which he is also head of state — but to east africa, to the republic of kenya. of state — but to east africa, soldier shouts instructions. of state — but to east africa, band plays. of state — but to east africa, but much as the diplomats want to focus on the positive aspects of the current relationship, britain's colonial past in kenya still casts a shadow. in the 1950s, kenya was in the grip of an uprising against british rule. it was known as the mau mau rebellion. there were excesses on both

sides, but the uprising was brutally suppressed. mau mau fighters were tortured and more than 1,000 were sentenced to death. it was the most aggressive use of capital punishment in any british colony. archive: the garden party at government house - was an informal farewell to british rule in kenya. | kenya became independent in 1963 and, since then, relations between the two countries have generally been good. trade and other ties are strong. but the king knows that one of the challenges for his reign is to address issues from britain's past, such as the handling of the mau mau uprising. he will do so tonight, in a speech here at state house, in nairobi. king charles is expected to acknowledge the mistreatment that occurred during british colonial rule, but he's not expected to issue an apology for it. the king must be guided by the british government's view.

it's paid £20 million in compensation for the handling of the mau mau uprising and expressed regret, but it will not accept further liability for events which occurred 70 years ago. nicholas witchell, bbc news, nairobi. in the last little while the king state banquet here tonight in kenya. let's hear a little bit of it. i cannot tell you what a great pleasure it is for my wife and i to be back in kenya once again. i'm enormously grateful to you, mr president, madam first lady, for your most generous invitation to make this state visit. the tremendous hospitality you have showed us and the wonderfully warm welcome that you and the people of kenya have extended to us, have touched me deeply. if i may say so,

it is particularly special to be able to return to this extraordinary country in the 60th year of your independence. today, mr president, we stood by the mighty tree which marks the spot where almost 60 years ago the kenyan flag was first raised. it seemed to me that the tree is driving strong and deeply rooted just as this great republic and her people continue to thrive. it means a great deal to my wife and myself that in our coronation years our first state visit to a commonwealth countries should bring us here to kenya. we both take considerable pride in renewing the

ties between united kingdom and kenya, a country which is long held such special meaning for my family. it is well—known, i think, that my dear mother of the late queen had a particular infection for kenya and kenyan people —— a section for kenya. she left here is a princess but left us queen. it is extremely moving to read her diary from that visit in which she wrote that she did not want to miss a moment of kenya's extraordinary landscapes. i really cannot thank you enough for the support kenya gave her through that difficult time. king the support kenya gave her through that difficult time.— that difficult time. king charles s-ueakin in the last few minutes. plans to close hundreds of rail ticket offices in england have been

scrapped by the government, which says proposals failed to meet passenger standards. the plans had faced fierce opposition when initially revealed. our transport correspondent katy austin has been following the story. well, the train companiesm who were under pressure from the government to cut costs, had argued that relatively few tickets are now bought at ticket offices in the smartphone era and, in closing them, they would bring staff out onto the station to help passengers in a variety of ways. but there had been a fairly strong backlash to these proposals, not only from rail unions, but also in particular from disability groups, who argued closing ticket offices would make travel less accessible. as you say, a public consultation had drawn three—quarters of a million responses. now, today, the passenger watchdog said they objected to all these proposals. also today, the transport secretary, mark harper, said they do not meet the high threshold set by ministers, so the government has asked train

operators to withdraw them. the rail delivery group pointed out it had made changes over the past few months, for example, promising to upgrade ticket vending machines. but it said the plans wouldn't now be taken forward. however, one senior rail source i've spoken to said that, yes, train bosses are furious about being made to defend plans they said had been approved by the department for transport and they asked where else the government would like them to try and save money. the cast of friends have said they are "utterly devastated" by the death of their co—star matthew perry. in a joint statement, they said they had been more than just castmates — they were a family. matthew perry was found dead at his home in los angeles at the weekend. our entertainment correspondent, lizo mzimba, reports. hey. i got you a present. oh, my goodness. where did you hide it? since the news of perry's death was announced at the weekend, fans have been fondly remembering

how much he made them laugh. ijust want to be married again. and ijust want $1 million. perry was only 2a when he was cast in friends, meeting five then unknown fellow actors for the first time. this is everybody. this is chandler and phoebe. perry was the only cast member to work in the show�*s writers' room, writing jokes for his friends. last night, they wrote a few words for him. "we are all so utterly devastated by the loss of matthew. we were more than just castmates. we are a family.

the actor often spoke candidly about his issues with addiction, hoping it would help others. i'm in control of the first drink, and so i do all these things to protect myself from not having the first drink. but once i have that drink, the allergy of the body kicks in. this is all documented. alcoholism—proof. then i... then i can't stop after that. and in the 2021 friends reunion, he spoke about his enduring bond with his cast mates. after the show was over at a party, if one of us bumped into each other, that was it. that was the end of the night. you just sat with. .. sat with the person all night long. they're mourning someone who they shared so many special moments with. we're coming towards the end of our program. let's return to our main

story, those events in the middle east that are dominating the news agenda. live pictures of the israeli— gaza border, that is the view from southern israel looking into gaza. of course the israelis continuing with airstrikes. they hit 300 targets overnight for that they were saying a little earlier and of course through the course of today they have said they have had fierce battles with hamas fighters. didn't say exactly where we live in gaza but saying they are hitting targets right across the gaza strip and saying they've engaged in fierce battles with hamas militants. those just some of the live pictures with “p just some of the live pictures with up in the last few minutes word from the pentagon, the us who say that in additional 300 us troops are heading to the middle east but will not be going to israel. but we've seen over

the last few weeks the increase in numbers of american personnel and hardware to the region to protect american assets. that also in keeping with that, the white house also saying that 66 aid drops have gone into gaza in the last 2a hours. some of the latest alignments coming in. let us repeat the important line of breaking news coming from hamas saying that they will release a number of foreign captives in the coming days. they released a video on their telegram account. the last we heard 239 hostages were being held, the israeli saying last week 138 had foreign passports. of course many will be dual nationals. we will have more on that important development here on bbc news in a moment or two. hello there. the rain in northern ireland has eased, but in 2a hours in county

down there was three inches of rain which led to the flooding. there may not be too much rain in northern ireland from storm kieran as it arrives into thursday. but wet weather elsewhere. saturated ground brings the threat of flooding and the damaging winds are more likely in the far south where we've got an amber wind warning from the met office. more on that in a moment. still some uncertainty, though, because the storm hasn't developed yet. it's going to grow out of this area of cloud streaming in from the other side of the atlantic. head of that this area of cloud is arriving in the southwest this evening, bringing some wet weather for trick or treaters. the rain easing in northern ireland and northern england, but still on the cloudy side. and through this evening and overnight, we'll see that rain in the southwest moving back northwards again across the uk. heavy rain for a while perhaps, and then some squally perhaps. thundery downpours sweeping into wales and the southwest to driving eastwards early on wednesday morning. chilly start to wednesday across northern scotland as the rain moves in here. so we could see briefly some snow over the scottish mountains away from that rain. now it's going to be a day of

sunshine and showers on wednesday. the winds will be a bit stronger. some of the showers could be heavy and temperatures may be a bit higher than today in northern ireland, northern england and also southern scotland. but overnight and particularly into thursday, this is when we get the impacts from storm kieran. the impacts from storm cieran. there's the centre of the low, the storm tracking eastwards across england and wales. strongest winds are on the southern flank of the storm. so this is where at the moment we've got the amber wind warnings from the met office with stronger winds through the english channel, very large waves, dangerous winds, disruption both to travel but potentially to power as well. other parts of the uk will be windy, notably where we've got this swirl of rain around the storm. in the centre of the storm it's not quite so windy where we'll see some showers and it may not be so wet across northwest scotland, together with northern ireland, temperatures ten to 12 degrees. the winds start to ease down later in the day in the southwest as the storm drifts away and weakens heading up into the north sea in time for friday. so things are not looking

quite so bad on friday. it's not going to be as windy, it's not going to be as wet. there'll be some sunshine and some showers, maybe some wetter, windier weather returning to eastern parts of scotland and later into the north east of england.

tonight at six — dozens are reported killed in gaza after an explosion at a refugee camp in the north of the territory. picking through the rubble to

recover the dead and the injured — houses are demolished and there's a vast crater. 0h oh god, my three kids are gone, i hope i can find one alive, i didn't say goodbye. with over 230 people being held hostage in gaza by hamas, we go back to the scene of an attack where one man had seven family members kidnapped. also tonight, chaos and dysfunction in downing street during the pandemic — the covid inquiry hears from one of borisjohnson's closest advisers, dominic cummings. he was somewhat dumbstruck that we were in this situation and of course there was no plan for lockdown so he was also perfectly reasonably saying, "how the hell do we lock down when there isn't a plan for lockdown?" a major u—turn as rail operators scrap plans to close the vast majority of ticket offices

in england after a public consultation.